Suspected bandits have killed an imam and three other residents and abducted 12 people during an attack on Illela Dawagware village in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Residents said the attackers stormed the village at about 12:20 a.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2026, riding about nine motorcycles.
The assailants, estimated to be around 30 in number, reportedly operated for about 30 minutes, firing sporadically as they attacked the community.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said villagers attempted to repel the attackers but were overpowered.
According to the source, the bandits first invaded the residence of the village imam, killing him and three others before moving from house to house and abducting 12 residents.
“They killed our imam, his neighbour and another person. They later abducted 12 people, comprising eight women and four men,” the resident told Daily Trust.
He added that the bandits also abducted the wife and two biological brothers of one of the victims, Awwalu, during the attack.
The deceased were identified as Mallam Liman Lawwali Na Ande, Lawwali Na Lami, Abdullahi Haruna and Awwalu.
Those abducted include Amiru, Hauwa, Awwalu’s wife, and nine others.
The source further disclosed that Alhaji Samaila sustained a gunshot wound that fractured his hand and is currently receiving treatment at a health facility in Sokoto.
Residents also accused security operatives of failing to respond to distress calls during the attack.
“We called security personnel in Goronyo for reinforcement and even offered to provide money for fuel, but they did not come,” the source alleged.
He said the latest incident was the 24th attack recorded in the village.
“They came two years ago and killed seven members of the same family inside a mosque. We had not experienced another attack until now. Just last Sunday, some displaced residents returned to the village after spending about two years away,” he said.
Another resident who attended the imam’s burial said fear had gripped the community, forcing many villagers to decide against spending the night in the village.
“They will now sleep at the IDPs camp in Goronyo because they fear another attack,” he said.
The residents appealed to the federal and Sokoto State governments, as well as security agencies, to take urgent steps to end the recurring attacks.
LIB had earlier reported that bandits similarly killed a chief imam and abducted nine people in Kuda-Kuda village, located in the same ward of Goronyo Local Government Area, on Wednesday.
